Foundation garment



April 26, 1966 M. sLoATE FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed May 6, 1964 INVENTOR Horron Sloore ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,247,853 FOUNDATION GARMENT Morton Sloate, Cedarhurst, Long Island, N.Y., assignor to Teenform, line, New Yorlr, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 6, 1964, Ser. No. 365,303 8 @laims. (Cl. 128-479) The present invention relates, generally, to foundation garments particularly adapted for use by the female species.

More particularly, this invention pertains to foundation garments, generally denominated as brassieres, particu:

larly adapted for use by the female species, and, specifically for that class thereof in which the development of a bust is in the formative stage, as well as for that class of female desirous of presenting a bust of substantial proportions, even though, in fact, there exists only a bust of minimal proportions.

There is presently available a relative plethora of brassieres particularly adapted for use by the female species, and especially those that have matured. The chronologically young, or teen-age figure, however, that presents a bust in the early or formative stage of development has, for the most part, been ignored, with the result that this class of female is presented with a number of problems in purchasing this type of foundation garment.

For example, the mere fact that the bust of an im mature or teen-age figure is in its formative stage of development in and of itself presents a unique problem. The foundation garment or brassiere purchased generally fails to provide for growth, so that it is necessary. to often or frequently replace it. At the same time, such foundation garments as are presently available fail to consider the psychologically advantageous aspect of being so constructed and arranged that they at least present the appearance of a bust of some proportion, rather than the minimal proportions actually existing.

Furthermore, heretofore suggested brassieres are so constructed and arranged as to present seams or other irregularities interiorly thereof, enabling them to attempt to perform the functions of molding and supporting the bust. Since the bust of the immature or teen-age female is in its formative stage of development, it is tender and easily irritated by any such irregularity.

Still further, the mature female figure does not always present a bust of the desired substantial proportions. Accordingly, resort is often had to brassieres comprising a layer of any suitable material, such as foam rubber, adapted to function as padding, enabling the brassiere to at least present the appearance of a bust of substantial proportions, even though a bust of only minimal proportions actually exists.

Frequently, the padding is removable so that it may be used with different brassieres. As a result, however, the padding is subject to being misplaced, and even lost. Additionally, the assembly and disassembly of such padding is an inconvenience, and requires a time-consuming effort.

Of particular significance, however, is the fact that the mature figure presenting a bust of minimal proportions does not even fill the bust portions or cups of a padded brassiere, irrespective of whether or not the padding is removable. Accordingly, the bust is not adequately molded and/or supported. Thus, even though a bust of substantial proportions may be presented, the female that presents a bust of only minimal proportions is extremely uncomfortable, since the bust is not properly and sufficiently contacted completely about the periphery thereof.

Accordingly, having in mind each and every one of the aforesaid disadvantages, and others that will be readily 3,247,853 Patented Apr. 26, 1966 apparent to those skilled in the art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a foundation garment, such as a brassiere, particularly adapted for use by the female species, and especially for that class thereof in which the bust is in the formative stage of development, as Well as for that class of the female species desirous of presenting, a bust of substantial proportions, even though there exists, in fact, a bust of only minimal proportions.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a foundation garment, such as a brassiere, particularly adapted for use by the female species, and especially that class thereof in which the bust is in the formative stage of development, as well as for that class of the female species desirous of presenting a bust of substantial proportions, event though there exists, in fact, a bust of only minimal proportions, said foundation garment being so constructed and arranged as to present the appearance of a bust of substantial proportion, even though, in fact, it is of minimal proportion.

Yet another primary object of the present invention is to provide a foundation garment, such as a brassiere, particularly adapted for use by the female species, and especially that class thereof in which the bust is in the formative stage of development, as well as for that class of the female species desirous of presenting a bust of substantial proportions, even though there exists, in fact, a bust of only minimal proportions, said foundation garment being so constructed and arranged as to at least present the appearance of a bust of substantial proportions, even though, in fact, the bust is only of minimal proportions, and being further so constructed and arranged as to enable the bust to develop into substantially the proportions as represented thereby.

Furthermore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a foundation garment, such as a brassiere, particularly adapted for use by the female species, and especially that class thereof in which the bust is in the formative stage of development, as Well as for that class of female species desirous of presenting a bust of substantial proportions, even though there exists, in fact, a bust of only minimal proportions, said foundation garment being so constructed and arranged as to at least present the appearance of a bust of substantial proportions, even though only a bust of minimal proportions actually exists, while yet enabling the bust to develop thereinto, and further being so constructed and arranged as to present no irregularities to the bust, which is particularly tender and sensitive in the aforesaid formative stage.

Still further, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a foundation garment, such as a brassiere, particularly adapted for use by the female species, and especially that class thereof in which the bust is in the formative stage of development, as well as for that class of female species desirous of presenting a bust of substantial proportions, even though there exists, in fact, a bust of only minimal proportions, said foundation garment being so constructed and arranged as to at least present the appearance of a bust of some proportion, even though, in fact, the bust is of minimal proportion, while yet enabling the bust to develop thereinto, and further being so constructed and arranged as to present no irregularities thereto, which is particularly tender and sensitive in the aforesaid formative stage, further enabling said foundation garment to perform the functions of molding and supporting while the bust is developing into the proportions represented thereby, as well as providing more than adequate support for the mature female figure that is desirous of presenting a bust of substantial proportions, even though a bust of only minimal proportions actually exists.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specification following taken with the drawings, which together show, illustrate, describe and disclose a preferred embodiment or modification of the invention and what is now considered to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a foundation garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed elevational view of the garment illustrated in FIG. 1, partially broken away to show certain details of construction; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

With particular reference now to the drawings, there is illustrated therein a foundation garment comprising a brassiere, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and generally designated by the reference character 10.

The foundation garment or brassiere comprises a plurality of bust portions or bust cups 12 and 14, and a plurality of body-encircling bands 16 and 18. The bands may be fabricated of any suitable material, and are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with the cups 12 and 14 along a substantial portion of the periphery thereof. To this end, the cups are so configured and arranged as to present an arcuate lower edge 20, that corresponds to the configuration of an arcuate edge 22 presented by the bands 16 and 18, along which the bands and the cups are particularly adapted to be associated, in any suitable manner, as by means of suitable stitching 24.

The body-encircling bands 16 and 18 are particularly adapted to extend about the body of a wearer (not shown). Accordingly, the band 18 is provided with a strap 26, fabricated of any suitable distensible material, having suitable fasteners 28 at one end thereof. The fasteners 28 are particularly adapted to be mutually cooperatively engageable with cooperating fasteners (not shown) positioned at the end of the band 16, thus enabling the garment 10 to be positioned upon the aforesaid body. In accordance with the aforesaid construction, therefore, it will be understood that the garment 10 comprises a plurality of bust portions or cups, and a plurality of body-encircling bands, the bands being particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with the cups along a substantial portion of the periphery thereof, at a location at the front of the garment, and being particularly adaptedto extend to the rear of the garment, enabling them to encircle the body of a wearer.

A generally triangularly configured panel 30 is positioned between the body-encircling bands 16 and 18, at the front of the garment, and is particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated therewith, in any suitable manner, as by means of suitable stitching 32. The panel 30 may be fabricated of any suitable material, and, for example, may be fabricated of a material that is distensible in each of a plurality of directions. Accordingly, this panel, in conjunction with the strap, enables the garment 10 to adjust to the girth of the body of the wearer. Of course, the strap 26 in and of itself will enable the garment to act in this manner, if it is desired that the panel 30 be fabricated of a non-distensible material.

A plurality of shoulder straps 34, which may be fabricated of any suitable material, are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with the bust portions or cups 12 and 14, at a location generally frontally of the garment, and to the body-encircling bands 16 and 18 at a location therealong particularly adapted to be disposed rearwardly of the garment, in the conventional manner. The straps 34 may be provided with suitable adjusting buckles 36, enabling the length of the straps to be adjusted as desired.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bust portions 12 and 14, constructed in accordance with the present invention, will now be described. Inasmuch as the cups are of substantially identical construction, only the bust portion or cup 12 will be described in detail.

The bust portion or cup 12 comprises a bust panel, generally designated by the reference character 40, comprising, in turn, a generally vertically extending exterior panel 42, and a plurality of generally horizontally extending exterior panels 44. The panels 44 are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with one another, in any suitable manner, as by means of suitable stitching 46. Additionally, both of the panels 44 are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with the panel 42 in any suitable manner, as by means of suitable stitching 48. The line of stitching, or the seam, 48 preferably is of arcuate configuration, enabling the garment 10 to present an aesthetic appearance. In addition, the particular configuration of the seam 48, taken in conjunction with the various dimensional extents of the panels 42 and 44, are chosen so that the cup 12 and, of course, the cup 14, are of generally triangular configuration, when viewed in crosssection, thus presenting a receiving pocket, in the conventional manner. While the panels 42 and 44 may be fabricated of any suitable material, the material or fabric chosen should preferably be non-distensible or nonstretchable. Accordingly, the receiving pocket defined by the bust panel 40 defines the maximum capacity of the garment 10, and comprises a pocket the capacity of which is substantially invariable. Additionally, since the panels 42 and 44 are fabricated of a non-distensible material, the receiving pockets defined thereby are generally inflexible, enabling them to uniformly present the appearance of a bust portion of substantial proportions, as will more fully be described hereinafter.

The bust panel 40 comprises, further, an inner panel 50 which may be fabricated of any suitable material capable of acting as a stiffening agent. For example, the panel 50 may be fabricated of foam rubber. This panel is particularly adapted to be interiorly disposed in underlying relationship with respect to the panels 42 and 44, and, to this end, is structurally operatively associated therewith in any suitable manner, as by means of suitable stitching 52, extending completely about the periphery of the cup 12.

The cup 12 comprises, further, a molding panel, generally designated by the reference character 53. The panel 53 comprises, in turn, an interiorly disposed ply or layer 54, disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the panel 40 and the layer 50, and particularly adapted to 'be structurally operatively associated therewith, completely about the periphery of the cup, as by means of the stitching 52. Preferably, the ply 54 is fabricated of a universally distensible material, that is yet soft and comfortable. These characteristics, in conjunction with the fact that the ply or layer 54 is a unitary piece of material having no seams, precludes the presentation of any irregmlarities that would result in irritation to the tender and sensitive bust in its formative stage of development. One such material that has been found particularly suitable is a material known as Helanca. It will be understood that in fabricating the cups 12 and 14, the layer 54 is particularly adapted to be disposed in a substantially taut position, when the garment 10 is not being used, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 3.

A plurality of molding bands 56 and 58 are particularly adapted to be disposed in overlying relationship with respect to the layer 54,, that is, disposed generally forwardly thereof. The bands are longitudinally dimensionally extensive, that is, of greater length than the transverse dimensional extent or width thereof, and, at their ends, are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with one another in any suitable manner, as bymeans of suitable stitching 60. In addition, the bands 56 and 58 are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with the layer 54 andthe bust panel 40, along one edge thereof, by means of the stitching 52. The bands 56 and 58, along another edge thereof, are so configured and arranged as to define an aperture 62 of generally diamond-shaped configuration. They may be fabricated of any suitable material, and maybe fabricated of the same material, namely, Helanca, from which the ply or layer 54 is fabricated.

In accordance with the above construction, it will be understood that the garment comprises a variable capacity bust receiving pocket defined by the molding panel 53. This pocket is variable inasmuch as the panel 54 and the molding bands 56 and 58 preferably are fabricated of a' soft universally distensible material. And, since it is variable, the garment 10 enables the bust in the formative stage of its development to increase in proportion until substantially the proportion represented by the invariable capacity bust receiving pocket, defined by the bust panel 40, is attained. There is thus avoided the necessity of too frequently having to purchase foundation garments of the brassiere type.

Additionally, since the molding bands 56 and 58 are disposed about the periphery of the panel 54, they will provide more than adequate support for the bust, as the proportions thereof increase, by acting upon and about the periphery thereof. Moreover, the bust will be molded by the bands 56 and 58, since they will tend to direct the same towards the aperture 62 defined thereby, and into the-bust receiving pocket defined by the bust panel 40. Finally, a bust in its formative stage of development will not be caused irritation, since the molding panel 53 is fabricated of a soft material, and presents no seams or other irregularities thereto.

It will therefore further be understood thatthe garment 10 comprises a plurality of bust receiving pockets, one of which is variable, within which a bust in its formative stage of development is particularly adapted to be received, and an invariable capacity pocket, into which the bust is particularly adapted to develop, the garment thus being so constituted and arranged as to provide adequate support and molding for a bust in the aforesaid stage of development, While yet indicating a bust having proportions greater than actually existing.

Of even further importance, and particular significance, is the fact that the garment 10 enables the mature female having a bust of minimal proportions to choose any size bust portion or cup 12 and 14, thus further enabling the presentation of a bust of any desired substantial proportions. At the same time, the variable capacity pocket defined by the molding panel 53 provides more than adequate support for the bust, completely about the periphery thereof, enabling the female to feel as if the invariable capacity pocket defined by the outer panel is, in effect, actually filled. As is considered readily apparent, this feeling is one of complete comfort.

Throughout the aforesaid description of the present invention, certain directional terminology, such as exterior, interior, forwardly, and the like, has been used. It is to be understood, however, that such terminology has been used in the claims as it has been used in the description, namely, in a normal and acceptedsense,

to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, such terminology is to be construed in the broadest possible manner, and given the broadest possible interpretation attributable thereto, and is not in any way to be considered limiting.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosed in terms of an embodiment or modi- 6 fication which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein shown, illustrated, described or disclosed, such other embodiments 0r modifications intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope of the claims here appended.

I claim:

1. A foundation garment comprising, in combination:

at least one variable capacity pocket constructed and arranged to provide support substantially completely about the periphery of a bust, and to mold the same irrespective of the proportions thereof and even if such proportions increase, comprising:

a molding panel having:

a distensible layer disposed in a generally taut condition when unflexed adapted to rest against the bust of the wearer, and a plurality of molding bands connected to said distensible layer and extending substantially completely about the periphery thereof;

said molding bands being superimposed upon a surface of said distensible layer opposite the surface thereof that is adapted to rest against a wearers bust, and being configured and arranged to define an aperture extending only therethrough;

at least one invariable capacity pocket of greater proportions than said variable capacity pocket when the latter is in an unflexed condition, enabling said invariable capacity pocket to at least present the appearance of a bust having proportions greater than actually existing, and further enabling said bust to be received therewithin as the proportions thereof increase, and the variable capacity pocket is flexed; said variable capacity pocket being connected to the invariable capacity pocket about the periphery thereof, and the molding bands of the former being dispose'd therebetween.

2. A foundation garment as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said variable capacity pocket comprises:

a molding panel, said molding panel comprising:

a distensible layer; and

a plurality of molding bands extending substantially completely about the periphery thereof;

said molding bands being so configured and arranged as to define an aperture extending only therethrough.

3. A foundation garment as defined in claim 1, wheresaid distensible layer is fabricated of a softuniversally distensible material having no irregularities therein.

4. A foundation garment as defined in claim 3, wheresaid bust pocket comprises:

a bust panel, said bust panel comprising, in turn:

at leastone exterior panel; and

an interiorly disposed panel;

'said bust pocket defining the maximum capacity of the foundation garment. 5. A foundation garment as defined in claim 4, Wheresaid interiorly disposed panel of the bust pocket is fabricated of a flexible and soft material; and whereon the molding bands of said variable capacity pocket are disposed in spaced relation from said interiorally disposed panel as long as the proportions of the bust are not substantially the same as the proportions presented by said invariable capacity pocket, and are adapted to move towards said interiorally disposed panel as the proportions of the bust increase and cause a flexing of said distensible layer.

6. A foundation garment comprising, in combination:

at least one variable capacity pocket within which a bust is particularly adapted to be disposed, comprismg:

a molding panel having:

a universally distensible layer initially disposed in a taut condition when unfiexed, and within which a when a bust is disposed within the variable capacity bust is adapted to be disposed, and a plurality of pocket and flexes the distensible layer thereof.

molding bands superimposed upon said distensible 7. A foundation garment as defined in claim 6, wherelayer at a surface thereof opposite the surface in:

adapted to rest against a bust when the latter is dis- 5 the distensible layer of said molding panel is fabricated posed therewithin; of a soft material presenting no irregularities to a said molding bands extending about the periphery of bust particularly adapted to be molded and supported said distensible layer, enabling said variable cathereby; and wherein:

pacity pocket to provide support substantially comsaid distensible layer is so constituted and arranged as pletely about the periphery of a bust, and to mold 10 to be P ,aninitially tautposition;

the same irrespective of an increase in its propors. A foundatlon ganmnt as defined in clalm Where" tions; and

at least one invariable capacity pocket of greater proportion than said variable capacity pocket when the latter is unflexed for at least presenting the appear- 15 R f r Cited by the Examiner ance of a bust having proportions greater than actually existing, enabling said bust to be received there- UNITED STATES PATENTS the interiorly disposed panel of said bust panel is fabricated of a flexible and soft material.

within if the proportions thereof increase, and com- 2,698,941 1/1955 Melnyk 128478 prising, 2,881,765 4/1959 Sloate 12s 4s9 20 2,986,143 5/1961 Erteszek 128489 X a bust panel having: at least one exterior panel, and an interiorally disposed 3166077 1/1965 Laguzzl et 128-489 X panel towards which the molding bands are movable ADELE M EAGER, Primary Examiner, 

1. A FOUNDATION GARMENT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: AT LEAST ONE VARIABLE CAPACITY POCKET CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF A BUST, AND TO MOLD THE SAME IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PROPORTIONS THEREOF AND EVEN IF SUCH PROPORTIONS INCREASE, COMPRISING: A MOLDING PANEL HAVING: A DISTENSIBLE LAYER DISPOSED IN A GENERALLY TAUT CONDITION WHEN UNFLEXED ADAPTED TO REST AGAINST THE BUST OF THE WEARER, AND A PLURALITY OF MOLDING BANDS CONNECTED TO SAID DISTENSIBLE LAYER AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY ABOUT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF; SAID MOLDING BANDS BEING SUPERIMPOSED UPON A SURFACE OF SAID DISTENSIBLE LAYER OPPOSITE THE SURFACE THEREOF THAT IS ADAPTED TO REST AGAINST A WEARER''S BUST, AND BEING CONFIGURED AND ARRANGED TO DEFINE AN APERTURE EXTENDING ONLY THERETHROUGH; 